THE PUBLISHER OPENS IN FREDERICKSBURG: The Publisher, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel has opened in Fredericksburg, Va. The hotel recently joined The Tribute Portfolio and will participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the travel program from Marriott International. Built and owned by Fredericksburg-based Vakos Companies, the hotel is located close to the home of George Washington’s mother, Mary Washington, and the Lewis/Washington family farm. The Publisher draws inspiration from the hotel site’s former occupant and the city’s oldest newspaper, The Free Lance Star. The historic property features 98 rooms and penthouse suites, a destination bar and restaurant and 2,000 square feet of indoor event space.
RAINES ADDS SEA PALMS RESORT TO PORTFOLIO: Raines has added the Sea Palms Resort in St. Simons Island, Ga. to its management portfolio. Owned by RREAF Holdings, the hotel joins Woven by Raines, Raines’ lifestyle division. The hotel features an 18-hole golf course, with views of the coastal landscape, and marks the second golf course managed by Raines. Located in a resort community, the 121-room Sea Palms Resort recently underwent renovation. The resort includes a full-service restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a fitness center and bike rentals. The Florence, S.C.-based Raines has been expanding its management portfolio and added around 20 properties in the first six months of the year, including 16 properties in a landmark deal with Atlantic Hotels Group. In April, Raines partnered with RREAF Holdings and secured a management deal for the Cambria Charleston Riverview. In 2023, the management company acquired third-party management company HP Hotels and reopened the Waynesville Inn & Golf Club.
U.S. PERFORMANCE UPDATE: The U.S. hotel industry’s performance improved from last week but saw weaker comparisons YOY, according to CoStar’s data through July 13.
- Occupancy: 69.2% (-3.7%)
- ADR: $158.21 (-1.5%)
- RevPAR: $109.51 (-5.2%)
Among the top 25 markets, Houston reported the highest YOY increases in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (+13.4% to 72.2%), ADR (+22.4% to $137.17) and RevPAR (+38.8% to $98.97). The market’s performance was affected by the effects of Hurricane Beryl. The steepest RevPAR declines were witnessed in Denver (-29.4% to $125.40) and San Diego (-26.7% to $188.40).
RIU OPENS IN CHICAGO: RIU Hotels & Resorts has expanded its presence and opened Riu Plaza Chicago. Located in a recently-built skyscraper in the Magnificent Mile shopping district, the luxury hotel offers 390 rooms and will launch a rooftop bar on the hotel’s 27th floor in September. Inspired by the Chicago School architecture, the 28-story hotel includes a gym, restaurant and a lobby bar with a grab-and-go kiosk. RIU now has 11 hotels in cities and plans to expand its footprint with a hotel in Toronto, which is under construction, and another in New York, where it has recently acquired a plot in Broadway.
MARRIOTT HOTEL IN LONG BEACH: Marriott Hotels, the signature flag of Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel brands, has announced the opening of the new Marriott Long Beach Downtown in Long Beach, Calif. The 12-story urban waterfront hotel is located on the city’s promenade and features 376 rooms and suites. Marriott Long Beach Downtown is owned by Orange County, Calif.-based Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. The hotel offers a rooftop pool and deck with city and ocean views, a lobby which offers space for social interaction and work, a lobby market, fitness center, an all-day restaurant and 21,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel’s design, which is inspired by the natural influences of the Long Beach locale with contemporary aesthetics, was led by Looney & Associates LLC.